US Peace Corps to assist Sri Lanka tsunami victims

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 29 June 2005, 01:55 GMT]Thirty "Crisis Corps" volunteers sent by the United States Peace Corps will arrive in Sri Lanka over the next two weeks to help tsunami affected Sri Lankans rebuild their lives, homes and communities, sources said

The volunteers, all former Peace Corps Volunteers in different countries, are professionals with technical expertise in areas ranging from international organizational development and coordination, management and administration,
to civil engineering.

Crisis Corps volunteers will work with partner organizations in established projects in sites along the coast including Trincomalee, Amparai, Hambantota, Matara, Galle and Kalutara, sources said.

Three of the volunteers served in Sri Lanka during the 1980s and 1990s.

Crisis Corps Country Representative Robin Cantino said, "It is an honour for the U.S. Crisis Corps to have the opportunity to assist the people of Sri Lankan the Post-Tsunami Relief & Reconstruction Phase." Crisis Corps Partners include World Vision, CCF, IOM,
American Red Cross, Goal and CHA. Volunteers will be working as Civil Engineers for water sanitation and reconstruction projects, Community Liaison Officers assisting in the coordination of regional relief and reconstruction efforts, Field Officers, Evaluation Specialists, Livelihoods Assistants, Community Health Assistants and Capacity Building Specialists.